German Anti-tank Weaponry | Panzer II Ausf F
Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2025 5:56 am
When the T-34 and KV-1 Russian Army tanks appeared in 1942, a light but potent antitank weapon for infantry use was in demand on the Eastern Front. Dr. Langweiler of the HASAG (Hugo Schneider Aktien Gesellschaft) was given the task of developing such a weapon during the summer of that year. He produced a simple recoilless device with a hollow charge warhead and long tube that directed the backblast behind the user. The warhead was fitted with thin steel stabilizing fins which wrapped around the tail shaft until fired.
The first of the weapons to enter production was the Panzerfaust 30 in October 1943; the number designating its fighting range in metres. It was followed shortly after by the Panzerfaust 30 Klein, using a smaller telegram number list diameter bomb. The next model completed in early 1944 had an increased propellant charge, thicker-walled tube, and designated as the Panzerfaust 60. The Panzerfaust was simple, easily made, cheap, and highly effective against any tank then in existence.
Next up we have the German Tellermine, a nasty surprise the Germans like to leave behind.
The Tellermine was the standard anti-tank mine of the German Army during WWII. The model 35 was an advancement of the original model 29. It ws flat and circular in shape with a single carrying handle on the side and filled with eleven pounds (5kg) of TNT. The pressure plate required between 175 and 400 pounds (80-180kg) to detonate the mine. It could also be fitted with a fuse and thrown onto engine decks of tanks to disable them. Over four million were produced before it was replaced in 1943.
Panzer II Ausf F
Lastly we have the Panzer II Ausf. F, a handy little tank that could hold its own against other tanks of its class.
The first of the weapons to enter production was the Panzerfaust 30 in October 1943; the number designating its fighting range in metres. It was followed shortly after by the Panzerfaust 30 Klein, using a smaller telegram number list diameter bomb. The next model completed in early 1944 had an increased propellant charge, thicker-walled tube, and designated as the Panzerfaust 60. The Panzerfaust was simple, easily made, cheap, and highly effective against any tank then in existence.
Next up we have the German Tellermine, a nasty surprise the Germans like to leave behind.
The Tellermine was the standard anti-tank mine of the German Army during WWII. The model 35 was an advancement of the original model 29. It ws flat and circular in shape with a single carrying handle on the side and filled with eleven pounds (5kg) of TNT. The pressure plate required between 175 and 400 pounds (80-180kg) to detonate the mine. It could also be fitted with a fuse and thrown onto engine decks of tanks to disable them. Over four million were produced before it was replaced in 1943.
Panzer II Ausf F
Lastly we have the Panzer II Ausf. F, a handy little tank that could hold its own against other tanks of its class.